What Is the Purdue OWL?

Updated

The Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is Purdue University's online writing resource platform, offering free reference materials and services to students, teachers, professionals, and organizations worldwide. It is best used when you need guidance on citation formatting, academic writing conventions, or professional documents like resumes and cover letters. The site also provides tutoring and workshops for the on-campus Purdue community.

What the Purdue OWL Provides

The platform describes itself as "a globally renowned resource that provides assistance with English to students, teachers, professionals, and organizations across the world," with the goal of helping writers develop "no matter their skill level."

Its online offerings fall into several categories:

  • Citation and formatting guides — including APA and MLA style guides
  • Academic integrity resources — such as guidance on avoiding plagiarism
  • Professional writing help — including resume development and basic business letter writing
  • General writing advice — covering a range of writing topics
  • Vidcasts — video-based instructional content

Who It Serves

The Purdue OWL addresses two distinct audiences:

Online, Global Audience

Anyone with internet access can use the reference materials and services. The site organizes suggested resources by audience:

Audience Example Groups
Students and instructors Grades 7–12, non-Purdue instructors and students
Purdue community Purdue instructors and students
Special populations English as a Second Language learners, professional writers, parents

On-Campus Purdue Community

Purdue students and faculty can go beyond the online materials:

  • Schedule an in-person, online, or e-tutoring session with a tutor
  • Attend writing workshops
  • Access dedicated student and faculty information pages

When to Use It

The Purdue OWL is a practical starting point if you need to:

  • Format a paper in APA or MLA style
  • Understand what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it
  • Draft a resume or business letter
  • Find writing guidance tailored to your role (student, instructor, ESL learner, or professional)

For Purdue-affiliated users, it additionally serves as an entry point to book tutoring appointments and workshops. For everyone else, the online guides and vidcasts are the primary resources available.